SUMMIT, N.J. (Union County) – Overlook Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, achieved Magnet with Distinction® recognition in late April 2025 as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet with Distinction Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that not only meet but exceed the rigorous standards for nursing excellence.
Overlook first achieved Magnet recognition in 2020. This is the first time Overlook has achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition.
With this credential, Overlook Medical Center joins the small and select global community of organizations that have achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition.
“It is a true testament to Overlook’s nursing excellence to not only achieve Magnet designation a second time, but to exceed that success by achieving Magnet with Distinction recognition,” said Heather Veltre, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Overlook Medical Center. “It speaks to the culture of collaboration between our nurses and every team member at Overlook – one that supports exceptional nursing care and exemplary patient outcomes.”
“Overlook’s evolution into a leading medical center for outstanding care is a direct result of the dedication and expertise of our nurses, whose commitment to advancing quality has been truly transformative” said Stephanie Schwartz, MHSA, FACHE, President, Overlook Medical Center.
Following ANCC’s site visit at Overlook, surveyors recognized Overlook with 9 Exemplars – specific areas that highlight excellence in nursing, where Overlook’s scores exceed the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s national benchmarks.
Specifically, these included:
- Achieving and maintaining 80% or greater of professional registered nurses who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing
- Registered nurse satisfaction/registered nurse engagement
- Prevention of falls with Injury
- Prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
- Prevention of device-related Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) on inpatient units
- Overlook’s rate of Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) cases were lower than benchmark in its emergency department units
- Functional Capacity After Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) in Overlook’s cardiac rehabilitation unit
- Door-to-balloon time, a key factor in successful stroke and cardiac outcomes, in Overlook’s cardiac catheterization lab
- Innovation implemented by Veltre and nursing leadership team that is supportive of nursing, professional development and retention. Examples included a new four-year, Med-Surg Unit Novice RN Pathway for career development, as well as a Nurse Staffing Summit to assess nurse staffing needs and identify opportunities
Additionally, Veltre’s leadership was praised consistently during the ANCC’s site visit for being collaborative, visionary, highly visible, and transformative.
“Our nurses are driven by continuous quality improvement, and a desire to advance the delivery of health care. Everything we do aligns with the tenets of Magnet,” said Deanna Paxos, Magnet program director at Overlook.
Research demonstrates that Magnet organizations provide specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:
- Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information
- Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates
- Higher job satisfaction among nurses
- Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions
Magnet with Distinction is a prestigious credential of nursing quality and confidence. For patients, this credential identifies organizations with satisfied nurses and safe, high-quality care.
The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this research-driven framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across several components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.
The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.
